Monaco confirms F1 grid activity plans for grand prix

Officials at the Monaco Grand Prix have formally confirmed the plans for the promotional activity that will take place on the grid ahead of today's Formula 1 race.

F1 announced at the end of January it would stop using grid girls from the start of the 2018 season, only for the Monaco race promoters to say they would be returning for their race weekend.

It was confirmed earlier this week that both men and women would be present on the grid accompanying the cars ahead of the race as ambassadors, with full plans from the Autmobile Club de Monaco and chief partner TAG Heuer being announced in the hours leading up to the race.

"During the previous four out of five races this year, there has been promotional activity on the grid, and the same will occur in Monaco this weekend," a statement reads.

"In collaboration with ACM and TAG Heuer, the acitivity is designed to share fan messages of support with the drivers on the grid ahead of the race. These fan messages have been collected through a social media campaign TAG Heuer and ACM have run this week, #livefromthegrid.

"A total of 40 men and women will be on the grid, as fan messengers and fan reporters. Each couple, made up of one man and woman, will be assigned a car and driver to display the good luck social media messages.

"In addition to amplifying the good luck messages, each grid ambassador will have a smart phone to capture the moment, with the best images being published live. Post-race, the full photo gallery will be available to view on the TAG Heuer and ACM Instagram accounts.

"Each couple will take it in turn to act as messenger and reporter, taking pictures around the cars, interacting with guests and media on the grid, and even possibly the team and drivers.

"Another grid activity to note will be four flags at the front of the grid, each held by a man and woman with four supervisors and one reserve.

"As an exception at this F1 grand prix,there will only be 14 FIA F1 Future Stars, one per team, with the remaining four children assigned to notable dignataries and authorities present on the grid during the national anthem ceremony."